MC Record 2013 All-Area Baseball Team

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July 5, 2013 at 6:01 pm

Pitcher/Infielder

Brock Cichon, senior, Upsala-Swanville Area

Cichon was able to return to the mound after being limited to the infield a year ago, proving to be one of the top pitchers in Class A, highlighted by a three-hit shutout over eventual state runner-up Osakis. Cichon finished with a sparkling 0.78 ERA to go with a 4-1 record and also hit .313 with 20 RBIs.

Pitcher/Infielder

Nick Frieler, senior, Upsala-Swanville Area

Frieler had a standout all-around season for the Patriots, turning into a reliable pitching compliment to All-Area teammate Brock Cichon with a 2-1 record and 1.18 ERA. Frieler also hit .422 while drawing 13 walks, driving in 10 runs and scoring seven.

Pitcher/Outfielder

Josh Wenzel, senior, Little Falls

The return of Wenzel, the Record Player of the Year, was a smashing success for Little Falls, as the senior outfielder bounced back after missing all of last season due to injury to lead the Flyers to the Section 6AA finals. Wenzel had a 4-2 record with a 1.02 ERA, scoring 22 runs and driving in 16 as the Flyers’ leadoff hitter.

Infielder

Collin Eckman, senior, Little Falls

Eckman nabbed a repeat spot on the All-Area team with steady defensive play at shortstop and by anchoring the heart of the Little Falls batting order. He finished with a .481 on-base percentage, driving in 19 runs, scoring 16 and stealing six bases.

Pitcher/Outfielder

Gabe Ploof, senior, Little Falls

Ploof held down the second spot in the Little Falls batting order between Wenzel and Eckman, reaching base at a .382 clip, scoring 11 runs and driving in seven. However, Ploof’s biggest impact was on the mound, as the senior lefty went 4-2 with a 2.57 ERA, striking out 33 batters.

Infielder

Matt Stumpf, senior, Little Falls

Stumpf paired up with Collin Eckman to form a devastating middle-infield duo both offensively and defensively. Stumpf registered a .397 on-base percentage while only striking out three times all year, scoring 13 runs and knocking in nine.

Pitcher/Infielder/Outfielder

Cody Weiss, senior, Pierz

Pierz turned to Weiss as its big-game pitcher this spring, with the senior ace pitching the Pioneers into the double elimination portion of the Section 6AA tournament. Weiss was also one of the area’s top sluggers, hitting six doubles, two triples and two home runs to collect 18 RBIs.

Pitcher/Catcher

Brad Meyer, senior, Pierz

Meyer was a focal point at both ends of the Pierz battery this spring, bolstering the Pioneers at pitcher and catcher. He reached base at a .384 clip as a table setter along with Ben Boser, scoring 16 runs, while posting a 1.97 ERA on the mound.

Infielder

Ben Boser, senior, Pierz

Boser wrapped up his Pierz career with a third All-Central Minnesota Conference award as the anchor of the Pioneers’ infield. Boser hit .367 with a .537 on-base percentage atop the Pierz lineup, hitting five doubles, stealing 11 bases and scoring 21 runs.